I had not the least intention of seeing this show when I went to New York for the weekend. Not that I didn’t want to – on the contrary, I thought it sounded like a lot of fun. But I couldn’t afford $100 tickets, and I didn’t think any would be available anyway. But, on the day I arrived, I passed by the theatre and saw people waiting in line for standing room tickets, so I decided to try that the next day! I got there a little *too* early, but it was worth it, since I got in! And since I could buy tickets, I called Tesse and invited her to see the show with me, which she did!
I’d never done standing room before, but it was actually a really great view, since the St. James isn’t that big. And I didn’t mind standing for the
whole show as much as I thought I would. 🙂
This is easily one of the funniest shows I’ve ever seen, and one of the best times I’ve had at the theatre. As I said to some of my friends, it’s quite likely the most offensive thing I’ve ever seen, and it shouldn’t be nearly as funny as it is. But it is! 🙂 The music is alright, not brilliant or anything, but it serves the purpose of the show. The cast, on the other hand, *is* brilliant!
I can’t imagine anyone being more perfect than Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick in these roles. They play off each other so perfectly. Cady Huffman is perfect as well, and Gary Beach, Roger Bart and Brad Oscar all had me rolling on the floor at various points throughout the show. The whole “Springtime for Hitler” thing is just as awful as you can imagine, but for some reason it’s just hysterical too. You know you should feel bad for laughing, but you can’t help it! I did have one small problem with a plot point, but that’s being incredibly picky – overall it’s just a really, really fun time, which is all it’s trying to be!
So, overall consensus – I’d love to see it again!
The Quotes:
“You’ve been here since when?!”
Various people, to me, in the line for tickets
“So what can I do for you, Prince Myshkin?”
Max to Leo – and a reference to my favourite book! 🙂
The cast: (in order of appearance)
The Usherettes | BRYN DOWLING JENNIFER SMITH |
Max Bialystock | NATHAN LANE |
Leo Bloom | MATTHEW BRODERICK |
Hold-Me, Touch-Me | MADELEINE DOHERTY |
Mr. Marks | RAY WILLS |
Franz Liebkind | BRAD OSCAR |
Carmen Ghia | ROGER BART |
Roger De Bris | GARY BEACH |
Bryan | PETER MARINOS |
Kevin | RAY WILLS |
Scott | JEFFRY DENMAN |
Shirley | KATHY FITZGERALD |
Ulla | CADY HUFFMAN |
Lick-Me, Bite-Me | JENNIFER SMITH |
Kiss-Me, Feel-Me | KATHY FITZGERALD |
Jack Lepidus | PETER MARINOS |
Donald Dinsmore | JEFFRY DENMAN |
Jason Green | RAY WILLS |
Lead Tenor | ERIC GUNHUS |
Sergeant | RAY WILLS |
O’Rourke | ABE SYLVIA |
O’Riley | MATT LOEHR |
O’Houllihan | ROBERT H. FOWLER |
Guard | JEFFRY DENMAN |
Bailiff | ABE SYLVIA |
Judge | PETER MARINOS |
Foreman of Jury | KATHY FITZGERALD |
Trustee | RAY WILLS |
Ensemble | JEFFRY DENMAN MADELEINE DOHERTY BRYN DOWLING KATHY FITZGERALD ROBERT H. FOWLER IDA GILLIAMS ERIC GUNHUS KIMBERLEY HESTER NAOMI KAKUK MATT LOEHR PETER MARINOS ANGIE L. SCHWORER JENNIFER SMITH ABE SYLVIA TRACY TERSTRIEP RAY WILLS |